Sonia Gandhi Discusses New Memoir, Past Crises, and Political Outlook

UPDATE - follow-up to How a love story grew into a deep belonging to India: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi warns that the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh government has caused great damage to India's democracy, institutions, and national fabric over the past twelve years, requiring significant time and political effort to repair.

Memoir and Personal History

Her newly released personal memoir, titled Belonging: A Journey of Love and published by HarperCollins India, uses politics as a background framework while centering on her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi and her integration into his family and the country. Sonia Gandhi describes how the bond grew into public life when she saw the sacrifices of Rajiv and Indira Gandhi—whom she cites as central figures who shaped her values and sense of duty—threatened. She also recalls meeting Rajiv about sixty years ago at a Greek restaurant in Cambridge, noting that her core values remain while she used to laugh more back then.

Politics and Past Crises

Addressing criticisms regarding the decline of the Congress party, she asserts that the opposition lacks a level playing field due to institutional control by the ruling dispensation, money power, mainstream media influence, and the exploitation of religion, though she remains optimistic about improving prospects through alliances with like-minded parties. She also discusses past challenges, including her brief resignation in May 1999 after leaders like Sharad Pawar raised concerns over her foreign origin, and her decision to decline the Prime Minister post after the 2004 Lok Sabha election victory, leading to a division of roles where Manmohan Singh led the government and she led the party.

Context

Memoirs by senior political figures often blend personal history with political commentary, offering rare insight into decades of governance and internal party dynamics. Sonia Gandhi's decades-long tenure at the helm of the Congress party places her at the center of modern Indian political history.